Tell me about the war

I remember that that day at the eighth-grade exam, the written test consisted of writing about the war.

I had three hours and four pages of a protocol sheet to fill out. Title: Tell me about the war.

In the previous months, we had studied and deepened the dynamics that had given rise to the Great War and World War II, I knew everything by heart: dates, battles fought, number of casualties, victories, and defeats. Yet that day I could not write a single word on that subject.

I kept thinking the war had no sense and besides a mere description of the facts I could not and wanted to add more.

So I decided to talk about peace.

“I’m lucky! Every day I wake up in a house full of love. That is, my parents often quarrel actually, but soon after they make peace. I lead a simple life, made up of the study, friends, and a few small summer jobs to contribute to the family economy. I still don’t know what I’ll do when I grow up, but I know how I will do it: with respect, gratitude, and humility. Mom and dad explained to me that only by cultivating these values, I’ll be able to aspire to true happiness and, when you are happy… you are at peace.”

War is the tangible demonstration of how deeply disrespectful, ungrateful, and arrogant men are. Unhappy indeed!

While peace could germinate in the heart of every single man if only this one nourished it with love.

Ps: my exam was not considered valid. That’s fine!